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London and parts of Essex and Hertfordshire will move to the highest level of coronavirus restrictions on Wednesday, MPs have been told.
The move will see thousands of bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants close in the capital and surrounding areas after Tuesday night, with the exception of takeout, delivery and click and pickup services.
The Level 3 measures, announced to local MPs by Health Secretary Matt Hancock, will go into effect at 12:01 am Wednesday.
Follow the updates live as Matt Hancock updates the Commons before a Downing Street briefing
COVID-19 rates have worsened in and around London
Under Tier 3 measures, people should not meet socially indoors, in private gardens, or, in most public outdoor places, with people they do not live with or are not in a support bubble.
The increased restrictions also mean that fans are likely to be barred from soccer stadiums and other sports venues again.
And theaters will also have to close their doors once again.
However, the “rule of six” will allow people from different households to continue to meet in small groups outdoors in parks, public gardens, playgrounds, or outdoor sports facilities.
Early Monday, London MPs were briefed on the worsening COVID-19 situation in the capital.
A London MP said there was “a lot of frustration” with no real answers to his questions.
It was “the same grim picture as last week’s meeting, except all the data is even worse, almost back to pre-lockdown levels,” they said.
